Competir Internacional participated at the event Sentir Portugal “Festival dos Sabores e da Gastronomia”, organized by AICEP, with the support of the Portuguese Embassy and Timor Plaza.

This event took place on 10 and 11 June at Centro Comercial Timor Plaza.
The main goal of this initiative was to offer the possibility of presenting Portuguese in a different format. With a combination of exhibition and tasting, networking moments and culture, we have contributed to the Portuguese presence in Timor Loro Sae.

According to International Trade Centre data, the total volume of imports in East Timor hit 217 million dollars in 2014. With 28%, cereals are the most imported product, followed by sugar and confectionery products with 19%, beverage with 12% and bakery items with 9%.

Portugal has exported approximately 2 million dollars of Food&Beverage products to East Timor in 2012, growing to 3,1 million dollars in 2015 (>50,5%). Beaten by the competitive prices of markets like Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, Portugal already earn attention regarding the substantial quality of its products. There is a great potential to increase the market share in other product categories.

Some key points like custom barriers, lack of human resources and weak infrastructure define a not easy trade. However, population growth, eating habits change and the country’s development are considered an investment opportunity.

Throughout the years, Portuguese entities based in East Timor have constantly organized events that promote the ancient relation between the countries. Gradually and together with product exhibitions, Portuguese supermarket chains emerged, sponsoring all kinds of goods from Portugal.

In this event, the Portuguese Embassy and AICEP delegation in East Timor were the most involved entities in the organization.

Several Portuguese brands were representing Portugal local products at the show, including Portuguese music performers and an exhibition with images of Portugal. The visitor was allowed to shop all products during the festival and also taste local products at the show cooking. The initiative showed a solidarity side, for BNU Timor donated money boxes to the children.

In resume, it was a great moment to foster both East Timor and Portugal cultures, as well as strengthen the commercial relations between markets and people.

Xanana Gusmão in Portugal and Competir Internacional was part of the event, leaving him a nice basket of products from our catalogue.

On the 31st of May last, Xanana Gusmão, who is now East Timor’s Minister for Planning and Strategic Investment, was invited to the summit meeting “East Timor – a CPLP economic platform” which took place in Torres Novas this Wednesday. The event brought together regional entities (NERSANT and AIP) and entrepreneurs, in order to capture investment in East Timor. Torres Novas has a strong relationship with East Timor fostered by António Rodrigues, former Mayor with a 20 year legacy. The municipality is twinned with Manatuto.

The former Prime Minister and Federal President, highlighted his country’s resources, as well as recognized that on behalf of East Timor growth, one must hold up as an example local municipalities instead of big cities like Lisbon, for the dimensions are too divergent compared with a country with 1 million people. In his speech, Xanana remembered East Timor’s Independence following years, back in 2002, and the rough path that the country took to develop an autonomous reconstruction, admitting the lack of experience of the government at that time. Also mentioned the kind hospitality of Portugal every time he visits.

António Rodrigues complemented Xanana’s plea, noticing the development of East Timor, specially regarding the agriculture and fishing commercial sectors. José Eduardo Carvalho (AIP), recalled the potential economic area that East Timor is located.

Competir Internacional was very pleased to be present at the event and to have the opportunity to confirm our investment in maintain straight relations with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. The timing is favorable for Portuguese companies to strategically invest in markets such as East Timor, for the legislation now eases the process and it will also increase the country’s prosperity.

Competir International was present at the Sub-Regional Economic Integration Forum in November 2016 in Dili. Where Timor Loro Sae and foreign leaders and experts were present.

The meeting began at 9:00 am and was referred to the theme “Forum for reflection on the paths of economic development for Timor Loro Sae in the context of regional and sub regional economic integration”. It was a reflection on the preliminary phase of the regional integration of Timor Loro Sae in ASEAN, where its advantages, potentialities and challenges were analyzed.
Organized by the Integrated Sub regional Economic Development Mission Unit, representatives of Portugal, Indonesia, Australia, relevant Timor Loro Sae entities, entrepreneurs and specialists participate in this event.
Competir Internacional considering this and emergent market had its representatives on it.

It was an important bounding moment with this market and its leaders.

The Portuguese presence in this market is noteworthy as well which is an opportunity for Portuguese products despite the obstacles.

Competir International was present at very important moments in the East Timor market, CPLP Global Economic Forum.

We were very well received at the “CPLP Global Economic Forum” in February 2016 in Dili, Timor Loro Sae with the hosting and organization of the Democratic Republic of Timor Loro Sae.
It was the first global economic forum with the support of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the Business Confederation of CPLP (CE-CPLP) and the Union of Exporters of the CPLP (EU-CPLP).

The theme “CPLP and Globalization”, chosen by the Organization’s Timor Presidency, was launched at the event, aiming to promote the theme “Timor Loro Sae as a Platform for Development” and to leverage the unity of “efforts in a globalized and More and more competitive, to plant the CPLP’s flag in the world’s business, “said Timor’s Minister of State, Coordinator of Economic Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Estanislau da Silva, seeking to boost trade between the CPLP area and the region .

We, as an integral part of the CPLP community, wouldn’t let slip the opportunity to contribute. This, being for us a distant market but a bet of Competir Internacional export business.